Thinking about moving from kits to extract...do it now!

[cwiseman77]

Just started brewing this year starting with a basic cooper's kit. Had relative success with 4 kits although 2 were a bit too sweet but was quite happy. I thought I'd give extract a go and bought a recipe pack from brewuk. Was surprisingly straightforward and didn't really need much more equipment, just something to strain and a big pot.

Despite only being marginally more difficult than doing a kit, the results are like night and day. Beautifully bitter and hoppy beers as opposed to too sweet. On my 3rd extract beer now and never looked back. :drunk:

 

[BigYin]

Extract brewing is a lovely way to make the step up from kits to AG - in fact I know of brewers who stick with extract brewing because they are totally happy with the results and don't feel the need to move further.

 

[PD]

:thumb:
Brew how you want to...if your getting results like you want to and the beer that you like, why change.

 

[fbsf]

As PD said - what ever works best for you.

I've had some good results from kits, very good results from extract, but the difference I get from an AG brew is worth the extra effort for me. But if I didn't have the time or space for AG, extract would be a very good alternative.

 

[simo72]

Hi I am also thinking of doing extract but am unsure of whether you use liquid malt extract or can you get away with using dried which seems cheaper and you use less per brew ?
Any views welcome

 

[fbsf]

Dried works just as well. 2-3kg for a 5 gallon brew seems to be a normal amount depending on strength required.

 

[Sandimas]

+1...I haven't looked back since I moved to Extract as I prefer hoppy ales, still do the odd kit tho. Think AG may be a step too far for me at the mo due to lack of time/space.

Which BrewUK kits have you done? I've done:
- Way To Amarillo: awesome, very hoppy strong American Pale Ale
- Exmoor Gold: awesome, hoppy golden ale which tastes quite close to the original
- Old Peculier: stunning. first real sample tonight and it's as good if not better than the real thing from the cask, and way better than the bottles from the supermarket

Just trying to work out what to do next, a mate did the London Pride clone but it didn't seem that close to the original.

 

[cwiseman77]

+1...I haven't looked back since I moved to Extract as I prefer hoppy ales, still do the odd kit tho. Think AG may be a step too far for me at the mo due to lack of time/space.

Which BrewUK kits have you done? I've done:
- Way To Amarillo: awesome, very hoppy strong American Pale Ale
- Exmoor Gold: awesome, hoppy golden ale which tastes quite close to the original
- Old Peculier: stunning. first real sample tonight and it's as good if not better than the real thing from the cask, and way better than the bottles from the supermarket

Just trying to work out what to do next, a mate did the London Pride clone but it didn't seem that close to the original.

My first was the Summer Ale, which is really tasty, amber in colour and nice bitterness. SWMBO unfortunately loves it and has slowly been making her way through them. Got the Bavarian Weissbeir probaly needs a week of conditioning yet but tasting pretty good so far. Very distinctive taste, think it might be coriander.

Also got ingredients for 49er i think.

I remember wanting to try the amarillo but think it was out of stock. Will definitely try it

 

[cwiseman77]

Dried works just as well. 2-3kg for a 5 gallon brew seems to be a normal amount depending on strength required.

I've not used liquid malt extract yet. Is there a difference in terms of quality/price or anything? Is one better than t'other? :wha: